The man who reportedly supplied Ray Lewis with deer-antler spray can't confirm the Baltimore Ravens linebacker ever used the stuff.

Sports Illustrated reported Tuesday that Lewis sought help from a company called Sports With Alternatives To Steroids (SWATS), which says its deer-antler spray and pills contain a naturally occurring banned product connected to human growth hormone.

Mitch Ross spoke for nearly an hour outside the Super Bowl media center Friday in a bizarre session that revealed little about his connection with Lewis.

The linebacker has denied ever using the substance.

Asked if Lewis ever tried deer-antler spray, Ross said, “I never saw him put it in his mouth.”

Ross said some Ravens players used his “performance chips” in the playoffs. Those are not banned by the NFL.

Group advocates for youths to curb hitting: It defies logic that there are now far more precautions taken to protect NFL players from head trauma than youth and high school football players, said several current or former NFL players speaking on behalf of a group advocating safer sports.

The Sports Legacy Group visited the Super Bowl media center to announce it was launching a national campaign to encourage youth and high school football programs to drastically curb or eliminate contact practices during the offseason.

“This is low-hanging fruit. This is a great way to reduce the amount of hits,” said former NFL fullback Kevin Turner, his speech slurred slightly because of his struggle with the neuro-muscular disease ALS.

“It's also a great way to teach a team how to practice without pads, and if they can get that done, it will be so much better.”

While scientists and researchers have yet to uncover a conclusive link between head trauma and ALS, a terminal disease which gradually reduces muscle control throughout the body, there are higher

documented instances of

ALS among pro football players than the general population.

Super chill?: Commissioner Roger Goodell says next year's Super Bowl at the stadium used by the Giants and Jets will “have an impact on future decisions for open-air, cold-weather sites.”

New York Giants co-owner John Mara said he thinks a good showing in 2014 will allow the site to “have a shot at a future” Super Bowl.